The critical thinking and research skills students acquire in the literature emphasis prepare them well for a wide variety of personal and professional goals, ranging from attending graduate school to teaching literature and language in the classroom, or any other disciplines which emphasize a strong background in critical reading, research, and writing.
The English department offers a variety of period courses from the Medieval to the Contemporary, including authors from Great Britain, America, and other world cultures. These courses are taught by literature faculty who maintain an active research agenda in their areas of expertise. Literature emphasis students are also able to specialize more closely when they take a course on a Major Author, study a more focused topic in the senior Capstone, and/or work on an Independent Study with a chosen faculty member. Class sizes remain small as students and faculty work together to understand the multiple perspectives and critical approaches of a particular language, literature, and culture.
Academic development outside the classroom is also possible as students can develop their reading and writing skills through the annual Bunge reading and through yearly prizes for academic writing in British, American, and World literature. Students also have the opportunity to travel to conferences and other public forums, presenting their work as well as listening to other featured literary speakers from around the country.
Please see the program requirements for a list of the courses required for this emphasis.